VA sees rise in military sexual trauma claims

VA sees rise in military sexual trauma claims, thanks to outreach work

A woman sitting down with her arms up by her face.

VA leaders said outreach and reform efforts related to military sexual trauma (MST) cases have led to an increase in claims over the last year. Department staffers received more than 57,000 MST claims in fiscal 2024, a rise of about 18% from the previous fiscal year. So far this fiscal year, veterans have already submitted more than 10,700 claims, an increase of 23% from the first two months of fiscal 2024. DoD research has indicated as many as one in three female veterans and one in 25 male veterans experience sexual assault or harassment in service.

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Plan would cover all health care costs for thousands of vets overseas

More than 17,000 disabled veterans living outside of the U.S. could get all of their medical costs covered under a proposal unveiled in Congress this week. The plan could be the basis for major reforms in overseas veterans health care. It would mean hundreds to thousands of dollars in financial relief to struggling veterans who have received a 100% disability rating from the VA.

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States go after unaccredited reps that charge vets for help with disability claims

The U.S. Capitol building located in Washington,
D.C>

For-profit consultants across the country make millions each year by charging military veterans for help in filing their disability claims with the VA. The practice exists in a legal loophole: It's illegal under federal law for companies that aren't accredited by the VA to charge veterans fees for helping file their disability claims, but there's no criminal penalty for breaking the law. Attempts to regulate this for-profit shadow industry have stalled in Congress. Three states passed laws in the past year cracking down on for-profit consultants, with similar bills introduced in 17 others.

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Understanding the VA Fiduciary Program and your rights

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hammock near a pond.

The VA Fiduciary Program assigns a qualified person to manage the benefits of veterans who have been found unable to handle their finances due to age, injury, or illness. Veterans may appeal if they disagree with the VA’s decision that they need a fiduciary or the VA’s choice of a fiduciary.

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Syfovre® injections lawsuit

If you or a loved one used the prescription eye injection Syfovre® to treat geographic atrophy and later developed retinal vasculitis or retinal vascular occlusion, you may be owed compensation.